Hi! I’m so happy you stopped by!
My name is Michele and I’m the creator of Paleo Running Momma – a website dedicated to bringing you the most delicious paleo friendly meals and desserts.
When I changed my diet in 2013, I started searching the internet for tips, recipes, and other people’s stories that resonated with my own. The amount of resources and incredible people I found inspired me to create this blog. It was time for me to give back and share experiences, mistakes, successes and failures as I learned to cook and eat real, whole, delicious food and make it work for me as a runner, too.
I started eating paleo for some really unoriginal reasons – to address longstanding digestive problems (IBS), help myself heal from a painful running injury, and finally drop my diet coke and cereal habits (trust me – it was time!)
When I started getting serious about healing my body, I began by going “gluten free”, but quickly realized there was more than just gluten that could be in my way. I learned that by eliminating processed foods, grains and refined sugar from my diet, I could potentially improve not only my IBS and tendinitis, but my overall health – physical and mental – as well as become a stronger athlete.
After I completed my first Whole30, I was hooked!
I was able to figure out what foods I tolerated best and which ones I struggled with.
While I don’t eat 100% paleo (I get asked this a lot!) it’s more of a guideline for how I cook and eat generally.
Now, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about food, specifically, how to create truly delicious paleo and Whole30 meals, grain free baked goods and real-food desserts that you and your families will legitimately crave and want to eat on the regular! You’ll find loads of real-life recipes for all occasions that your brain will love as much as your body does!
Fun Facts About Me
1.) When I started this blog I was obsessed with long distance running (to put it mildly!) and (secretly) wanted paleo to turn me into a superwoman-style runner.
While I DID qualify for and run the Boston Marathon twice (2014 and 2016) it wasn’t thanks to a paleo diet – in fact, I qualified for Boston the first time while eating a SAD diet and the second time on Paleo.
That said, I believe you can absolutely run well (and long distances) while eating a paleo diet! I did this for about 2 years before scaling back on my training and getting into yoga, which is what I do the most now!
2.) I have 3 kids – Diana, Emily, and Drew. I’ve always gotten lots of questions about whether or not the kids eat paleo – the answer is yes and no! They eat the dinners I cook for them, but, aside from that I don’t put restrictions on them since I found it wasn’t mentally healthy for any of us! Truthfully, my kids do not have medical conditions that require them to eat strictly paleo, so, I take a moderate approach to what they eat and we’re all pretty happy this way.
3.) The first thing I ever tried to “cook” by myself was peanut butter at the age of 4. My “recipe” involved peanuts, some aluminum foil and a hammer. Needless to say, it didn’t work, but little did I know I was actually on the right track! If only I’d had a food processor – my nut butter dreams could’ve come true!
4.) The first thing I ever cooked on the stovetop was bacon. I almost get emotional when I think about it 😉 Oh if only I’d known how that moment would shape my future! Now, I’m about my bacon and basically only eat the sugar-free Whole30 friendly variety from U.S. Wellness Meats. This stuff is AMAZING! My family goes wild over it.
5.) Comfort food is my jam. Seriously, I don’t really think “emotional eating” is such a bad thing, especially if you’re eating delicious REAL food that makes your body, mind and soul happy!
All the recipes I post are ones that I’m EXCITED to eat and genuinely make me happy. I cover everything from breakfast to dessert (in fact, those two are my favorites!) including lots of Whole30 friendly family favorites. My goal for this website is to introduce you all to new favorites that truly make you happy to eat Paleo style! Paleo comfort food for life!
6.) I have a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and worked as a social worker for 3 years before deciding to stay home full time to raise my kids. I had NO idea what a blog was at that time, and always planned to head back to work when my youngest started kindergarten.
I started this site 100% as an outlet, not with a business in mind, but when the time rolled around, I realized I felt so much more passion for creating recipes for Paleo Running Momma than for returning to my old career. I gave it a shot and put all my efforts into growing this blog, which meant learning a lot from scratch. The decision did not come easy, but I couldn’t be happier with where I am now!
If you have a question or would like to personally contact me, you can email me at the following address:
paleorunningmomma @ gmail . com
Hi found your blog thru another blog that I was reading but glad I found you! I am a slightly obsessed runner (ok, if you ask my husband, more than slightly 🙂 ) I am just now jumping into the paleo way of eating. Great stuff going on here, can’t wait to read more! 🙂
Glad you found me, and that’s awesome! Nothing wrong with being (just a little) obsessed 🙂
So glad to have stumbled upon your blog! I did a whole30 too and absolutely loved it!
Awesome! Yes, it’s so helpful in order to really understand how foods affect you. I really value the information and will probably do another at some point to reassess what works 🙂
Hi Michele,
I came across your blog as I have changed my eating habits as of
Jan. 2016( Whole 30/ Paleo/ low carb) and quit drinking Diet Coke. ( which I still miss but know it is not good for me!) I am also a runner and trying to find ways to eat better and sustain energy for my runs. I have had good days and bad with energy. I am also doing 21 day fix to help with toning and cross training.
I am currently not training for any future races but I am always thinking about it. Since, I have changed my diet running long distances are not working for me.
It could be in my head but I have to stop and take walking breaks. It may be the combination of diet change and 21 day fix that is taking a toll. I am trying lose about 10 pounds. I am 5’2 and 135 and I just want to feel lighter.
When reading your blog I thought to myself, how I have tried for years to find friends that share my passions. ( no success they think I am crazy! I run all seasons outside rain,snow, hot cold,)
I loved and totally get the headlamp at 5 am runs. It would be so fun to have a running partner that gets it.
Thanks for inspiring me! And making me feel like I can do this and I am not alone.
Shelly
Living in northern Utah
( mother of 5 girls 1 boy)
I am glad to discover your blog! I am a runner (going to run a half marathon this weekend and my first full in May) struggling with IBS, skin issues, and about 15-20 extra pounds. I’ve been considering giving the paleo diet a go but have been concerned how it will affect my running. I am inspired to try it now!
My husband and I used to eat paleo, and all of a sudden so many symptoms that no doctor had ever been able to explain just started to fall away. I felt wonderful, and was honestly surprised at how good being healthy could feel! A prolonged era of unemployment killed our paleo lifestyle, and I am ready to begin again. But family dynamic and my role as family dynamic has changed so much since then. I am looking forward to reading about how you juggle being mom and an athlete and fueling/healing your body while feeding your picky little ones.
Wow, that’s amazing! So glad you’re ready to start again, it can be challenging and it’s definitely a lot of cooking, but doable with the right prep. Also, trial and error. Once you figure out what works just keep repeating that!
Hi My friend encouraged me to visit your page. I have been struggling with IBS and other gastro issues for 2 and a half years now, living uncomfortably and dodging specific foods like dairy and tried my best to lower gluten intake hopeful that that would help. It did for a little but then I later decided to try Whole 30 (didn’t last the full 30) and then later ate Paleo for over a month. I still had gastro issues while on Paleo and at that point went to go see a GI doctor. They encouraged me to try out the Low FODMAP diet and I am just so intrigued and encouraged to see that you do both and run! I love to run as well. Glad I was referred to your page and your story! I am just now starting to incorporate Low FODMAP in hopes that my body will respond happily and I can eat, run, and live my life free of severe gastro pain.
Low FODMAP was the key for me especially while training for a race and running more miles. You’ll probably want to try it pretty strictly for several weeks until you feel better, and then experiment with different foods/amounts since it seems we all tolerate things a bit differently. At this point, I’m not training hard and have been able to loosen up my diet a bit, however still won’t touch raw onions, apples, pears, broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, or cauli, yet many of these foods are okay in small amounts, cooked well. It’s complex! All of my recipes are paleo however probably only half are low FODMAP, although many that aren’t low FODMAP can be easily adapted! Definitely contact me with any questions you have as you go along, I also do paleo lifestyle coaching if that might be something helpful. Glad you found me!
Hi Michelle
I recently stumbled upon you from Pintrest and am very glad I did. I am 2 months into Paleo and you have made it so much better with your great recipes. Thank you very much.
Thanks for letting me know – hearing things like that makes me happy and of course I’m thrilled to help! Are there certain types of recipes you’d like to see more of?
I’m so glad I found your blog! Just read your IBS part 2 and I am ready for change….I know from experience that paleo/GF reduces my symptoms, but I fell back into the SAD diet and not only greatly increased my symptoms but gained 30 lbs in the past year 🙁
I also love to run! Im ready to get back on track!!
Glad you found me! I eat almost totally paleo (dairy occasionally) and try to stick to low FODMAP as well which really helps my symptoms. I have a few posts about low FODMAP to check out too – I go back and forth but definitely feel better eating that way!
Michele:
I am so glad I came across your website. I followed a link from Prevention to a really delicious looking dish and there you were. I just started my Paleo journey about a week ago and surprisingly I’m not hanging out and drooling in the bakery section of my local Publix. No IBS or anything like that for me — just allergies, fork to mouth disease and an occasional bout of “oh my God I’ve that looks so good I’ve just got to eat it NOW!” Truth be told I’m a 57 year old mother of a very active 15 year old boy (young man) who loves his mom so much he wants to take her hang gliding, parasailing, zip lining and anything else he thinks will scare the bajeebas out of me! I’m lugging around 60 extra pounds I don’t consider a friend and want to drop like a bad habit so I can do at least some of those things with him without worrying if I’m over the weight limit. I’m glad I found your recipe section and can’t wait to dive into them and get inspired to make some of my own. Thanks for all the great info.
Hi Sheri, welcome! I’m so glad you reached out to let me know you’re enjoying the site so far. Best of luck in your cooking adventures, Paleo cooking can be surprisingly rewarding 🙂 Take care!
Hi Michele,
I’m so happy to have stumbled upon your blog! I am currently training for my first full marathon. It’s in Colorado with a bunch of elevation change so I’m a little nervous but very excited! I’ve been paleo dieting loosely for about a year now and I love it. Currently in the middle of my second Whole30 cleanse. I was searching for a paleo ginger muffin recipe as a good post-run snack to reduce inflammation and was brought to your site. So happy to have found it! If you have any tips for a first time marathon runner trying to follow the paleo diet, send them on over 🙂
Happy eating!
Christine